WACO Works Connects the Dots for Washington County HS Students
Sandersville, Ga., (OFTC)– Thirty students from Washington County High School (WCHS) got a firsthand look at local education and career opportunities during Waco Works, held at Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) on Tuesday, March 19. The event, designed to expose and inform high school students about career paths available close to home, brought together education and industry leaders from across Washington County.
Waco Works is sponsored by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and is a partnership between OFTC, WCHS, and several key industries within the county.
Partnerships that Work
Since its launch in 2018, Waco Works has proven to be a valuable initiative, bringing students, educators, and industry professionals together. Its success has allowed it to evolve into a beneficial community partnership, now taking place twice a year.
“The Chamber understands the importance of workforce development to Washington County,” shared Washington County Chamber President Katie Moncus. “Because of this, Waco Works has been a priority in our plan annually.”
With a mission centered around workforce development, OFTC has been a natural partner in reinforcing the local education and career training opportunities available.
“We’re always grateful for the opportunity to join other community leaders in educating and informing local students about the many educational and career training opportunities available to them close to home,” shared OFTC President Erica Harden. “Exposing students to these opportunities right here in our county is essential,” she added. “This is the
core of what we do at OFTC.”
How Waco Works Began
Waco Works was initially funded through an EMC Electrical Foundation Grant. After seeing the program’s impact on students and local industry, the Chamber committed to continuing its sponsorship to ensure its long-term success.
“We want to provide each student with an engaging day packed with valuable information from the most skilled leaders in the area,” Moncus shared. “Throughout the day, we showcase diverse local career opportunities for students and match the qualifications with OFTC’s available course paths. This gives students the full picture—from training into the field.”
Exploring Career Opportunities
As part of the day’s activities, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) students were selected by WCHS to participate in hands-on program tours at OFTC. Students explored a variety of programs, including Criminal Justice, Nursing, Pharmacy Technology, Accounting, Cybersecurity, and Business.
In addition to their time on campus, students also participated in a local economic bus tour, making stops at key employers such as the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Washington County Regional Medical Center, Chapman Trading Co., and Shared Services. At each location, they heard directly from industry leaders about job opportunities, required training, and the skills they look for when hiring.
“Take advantage of what you have an opportunity to do today,” said Dean Wilcher, Director of Work-Based Learning for WCHS, while addressing the students. “This is a great opportunity to learn about education, career training, and job opportunities close to home.”
“Washington County has wonderful industries where you can work to provide a good living for yourself and your families,” he added. “Today is your day to network with people who can actually hire you. You never know who you’re going to meet and who can help you down the line. So, today, connect the dots – WCHS, OFTC, local industries – to great job opportunities.”
Connecting the Dots
To meet local workforce needs, strong partnerships must continue to work together, and Waco Works is a prime example of these collaborations, Moncus shared.
“OFTC is one strong link to connecting the dots,” she said.
“This event impacts hundreds,” she added. “Obviously, our target is the students who attend, but it’s so much more than that—the WCHS staff, the industry leaders, the OFTC staff—all of these people get to see and hear about the opportunities in our community. These students might not enter the job force for a few years or already hold a job, but the connections and the people they are introduced to during Waco Works initiate relationships that could last a lifetime.”
Through events like Waco Works, these connections help build a strong workforce pipeline, ensuring that Washington County students are equipped with the knowledge and relationships needed to succeed close to home.
For more information about OFTC’s 130+ programs of study or the Waco Works program, visit the College’s website, OFTC.edu.
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